Suarez escapes Fifa punishment after appearing to punch Chile player

By Alex Ward

The much-maligned Uruguay international appeared to strike La Roja’s Gonzalo Jara in the face during his side’s World Cup qualifier in March, but has avoided reprimand

The Uruguayan FA (AUF) has announced that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez will not face punishment after appearing to punch Chile defender Gonzalo Jara during Uruguay’s World Cup qualifier against La Roja on March 26.

The incident was not spotted by officials but was retrospectively analysed, but Fernando Cacares, AUF's general secretary, has revealed that the President of Fifa's Disciplinary Commission has decided against reprimanding the 26-year-old.

“The president of the Disciplinary Commission of FIFA has decided that this matter does not require the intervention of the Disciplinary Commission of FIFA and therefore, this procedure is now closed", the statement read.

"We beg you to extend this communication to the player Luis Suarez as soon as possible and we thank you for your invaluable collaboration".

The announcement will be a welcome relief for Suarez, who is currently serving a lengthy 10-match ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic when the two sides faced each other in late April.